Decreet tot ontbinding van het Nationaal Congres 1831

This commemorative medal by M. Borrel, celebrates the decree dissolving the National Congress. On one side, we see a meticulously rendered diagram of the Belgian parliament, a symbol of order and governance. Consider how the motif of governing bodies echoes through history, from the Roman Senate to modern parliaments. This depiction is not merely architectural; it’s a potent symbol of collective decision-making. Yet, etched into this emblem of unity is the declaration of its own dissolution. What psychological tension does this evoke? It speaks to the cyclical nature of power and the ephemeral quality of political structures. Like the ouroboros, forever consuming and recreating itself, this medal captures a moment of destruction that inherently implies the possibility of rebirth. It is a reminder that the end is often a new beginning in the endless dance of history.